Page 32 of Stolen Kisses

I figured I'd only call my sister if I really heard back from their HR. She was on her honeymoon, after all, and I really didn’t want to bother them, but I couldn't postpone the moment any longer.

I got up from the couch, making myself a coffee. My apartment was a studio and only had one room, but it was in the Gaslamp Quarter, so I was right in the city center. I moved here after my breakup and figured I’d be at the inn most of the time, so I wouldn’t need more space.

I took two sips before pressing my sister's number. She answered right away.

"Hey. It's super early on your side, huh?" she asked.

"Yes, it is. Do you have a minute? I want to talk to you. Sorry to bother you on your honeymoon."

"You never bother me! Wait, is it gossip hour, or is it something serious? I can't tell from your voice. It's still way too early."

"It's not gossip," I said, unless I included the kiss between Chase and me, and I wasn't.

"Okay, spill it."

"Listen, you remember how I told you and Mom that I'm toying with the idea of taking a job again and saving up for renovations?"

"Yeah, and we both think that's a great idea."

"Right. So Chase offered me a job. He said they're always looking for brokers, and I’m in touch with the HR person. I just wanted to check with you and Josh before I agreed to an interview."

My sister was silent for a few seconds and then said, "So when did you two discuss this? Before or after the kiss?"

I nearly swallowed my tongue and almost dropped my coffee on the floor.

"You know about the kiss?"

"Yes. Chase told Josh, and Josh tells me everything. How comeyoudidn't tell me?"

"I was going to, eventually."

"Oh really?"

"Well, the truth is, the more time passed...."

"Josh also said he warned Chase off you."

"What?" My cheeks heated up. Chase had said something to that effect, but I hadn't realized he'd literally warned him.

"Sister dearest, I have to do the same."

I cleared my throat. "This is just about a job offer."

"Hmm, really? Hey, Josh, remember how you warned Chase to stay away from my sister?" she said on the other end of the phone.

"Yeah," I heard Josh reply.

"He's now offered my sister a job."

"Motherfucker," Josh exclaimed.

This is a disaster.

"Blair," I chastised, "please don't give him a hard time. Look, we kissed at the wedding, and it was a onetime thing." A delicious kiss, but my sister didn't need to know that. "We agreed that it will be a strictly professional relationship if I end up working for him. For all you know, I might flunk my interviews."

"I know you won't. You interview really well. Oh, shoot. I might have excited Josh a bit too much. I've got to calm him down. Listen, of course you can do whatever you want. You're a grown woman, okay? And Sterling Investments is one of the best companies you could work at. It would look amazing on your résumé."

"I think so too," I said, happy she was seeing my point of view. I took another sip of coffee. "All right then, I'm going to email HR back right now."

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